Manual Transmission Retained as National Assembly Advances Electoral Bill

By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja 

Despite heated debates and a tense floor vote, the National Assembly has pushed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill closer to passage, retaining manual transmission of results as a backup while approving electronic uploads.

During clause-by-clause consideration, the Senate amended Clause 28, cutting the election notice period from 360 days to 300 days. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the change would prevent the 2027 general elections from clashing with Ramadan, which could dampen turnout and disrupt logistics.

The adjustment followed consultations with the Independent National Electoral Commission, which had scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027.

Committee Chairman Simon Lalong clarified that the dates were based on an earlier timetable set by former INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu, not a deliberate attempt to overlap with the holy month.

Clash Over Result Transmission

The biggest controversy came over Clause 60, which addresses how results are transmitted from polling units.

While lawmakers agreed to electronic transmission to INEC’s portal, a provision allowing manual collation where networks fail sparked division. 

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe pushed for strictly real-time electronic uploads, warning that manual alternatives could weaken transparency.

After a closed-door session and a standing vote, 55 senators backed retaining manual transmission as a safeguard against connectivity failures, while 15 voted for mandatory electronic-only uploads.

Presiding officer Godswill Akpabio described the outcome as “democracy in action,” arguing the fallback would prevent cancelled polls and endless reruns.

What the Bill Means

Under the proposed law:

Electronic transmission is officially recognised

Polling unit results remain the primary legal record

Manual submission is allowed during network failure

Direct and consensus party primaries are adopted

With the third reading complete, the bill moves Nigeria closer to a hybrid system that blends technology with contingency measures — a compromise lawmakers say will strengthen credibility ahead of 2027.